By Koviao Matuzee
A Windhoek resident has been left homeless and forced to sleep in the open for three nights after the City of Windhoek demolished her informal structure in Goreangab’s Okapale area, intensifying criticism over the municipality’s handling of illegal land occupations and evictions.
The demolitions, coupled with recent orders for occupants of zinc structures at the Katutura Youth Complex to vacate, have reignited de- bate over whether the city is enforcing its by laws fairly and humanely amid Windhoek’s worsening housing crisis.
The resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said municipal officials arrived without warning and demolished her shack after she had lived there for about a month.
”I had nowhere to go. They just came like that,” she explained.
She alleged that she received no notice, no explanation for the demolition and no alternative accommodation after her structure was removed.
According to her: “They did not offer anything.”
The resident also questioned the consistency of the city’s process, claiming officials marked some informal structures with identification numbers while others, including hers, were excluded despite having been erected around the same time.
“They wrote numbers on some of the shacks, but mine was not given a number. There were other shacks that arrived around the same time as mine, yet some received numbers.”
She urged the municipality to apply the same process to all residents.
“They must just come and write numbers on the other shacks as well, to avoid fighting.”
During the same operation, a male resident whose shack was also demolished was reportedly arrested.
Confidente was unable to obtain comment from him.
Samora Machel constituency councillor Lydia Kanime said she was unaware of the demolitions and had not received any reports from either the City of Windhoek or community members.
“If anything happens and the councillor does not know, what message does it send to the residents?” Kanime questioned.
She also expressed frustration over what she described as unfair land allocation practices.
She said she applied for an erf in 2014 and remains on the municipal waiting list despite being shown proof that her application is still active.
She claimed that some applicants who joined the waiting list later had already received plots in more developed areas, creating resentment among those who have waited for years.
“I need to work with community leaders to tackle the development of our communities,” she added.
The demolitions have once again highlighted Windhoek’s growing demand for serviced land and affordable housing.
Rapid urbanisation, unemployment and limited access to housing have driven many residents to occupy vacant land illegally, while the City argues that such occupations undermine orderly urban planning and strain already limited municipal resources.
One of the most prominent examples is Baboon City, an informal settlement behind Rocky Crest and Pioneers Park.
The settlement, established nearly a decade ago by former road construction workers, is home to about 50 households.
Because the land is leased for construction purposes, the City does not recognise the settlement and has not provided basic services such as water and sanitation.
Residents rely on neighbouring communities and the University of Namibia for water while many survive through collecting and selling scrap metal.
The issue resurfaced recently at the Katutura Youth Complex, where several people erected zinc structures in an attempt to secure shelter. Although the City ordered the structures to be removed, some occupants claimed they had previously been allowed to reinforce their shelters.
Confidente visited the site and found that the structures were still standing, although no occupants were present.
City of Windhoek communications, marketing and public participation manager Harold Akwenye said the Katutura Youth Complex falls under the jurisdiction of the relevant ministry and not the municipality.
He said questions regarding the reported eviction there should be directed to the responsible ministry.
Regarding the Okapale demolitions, Akwenye said the city remains committed to preventing illegal land occupation.
“The City has a responsibility to manage municipal land in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and by laws and to protect such land from unlawful occupation. By law enforcement will therefore continue where illegal occupation or unauthorized structures are identified,” Akwenye said.
He acknowledged the growing demand for land and housing but said illegal occupation cannot be the solution.
“Such actions can also complicate orderly planning and the equitable allocation of land to residents who are awaiting access through established processes,” he noted.
Akwenye appealed to residents to refrain from illegally occupying municipal land and to cooperate with officials carrying out their duties.
“Lawlessness and illegal land grabbing will not be tolerated, and the City will continue to enforce its by laws consistently and within the applicable legal framework.”
On the reported arrest during the demolition operation, Akwenye said matters relating to arrests fall within the mandate of law enforcement authorities.
